Aelyx -15
"I want to do it." I panted as my blade clanged against that of my father.
"Do what?" He asked as he whipped his sword around for a crushing blow against my shield.
I staggered back slightly, before regaining my balance. My opponent did not press his advantage but instead bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, waiting for me to recover.
"I want to join the Pentoshi expedition," I said feinting towards my father's right before lunging at his left side. The maneuver failed to bate him and his shield deflect my longsword with ease.
"I already told you that I had no interest in the endeavor." He drove my back with a series of sweeping overhand blows.
"I know that. I am saying that I want to join." That surprised him. He paused lowering his sword.
"You want to go by yourself?" He questioned; his tone incredulous.
"Aye, I do"
"Why?" The question seemed casual but long experience allowed me to see the irritation creeping into his eyes.
"I talked to the Pentoshi, I think that their plan could work."
"Even though I told you that it wouldn't"
"You didn't actually say the plan wouldn't work, just that even if it did it would leave you far too beholden to the Pentoshi."
He frowned obviously replaying yesterday's conversation in his head. He gave a snort of irritation as he realized that I was right.
"So, what, you're just going to cross the Narrow Sea, burn some sellswords on behalf of a bunch of up-jumped merchants, and then hope they give you enough men and money to retake the Stepstones."
I shrugged. "That's about the gist of it, no need to make things overly complicated. Although I think Vhagar will serve as an excellent incentive for them to keep their word."
"And then what? Will crown yourself King of the Stepstones.?"
I hesitated; I was now at the trickiest part of the conversation. My father had not styled himself as King since he left the Stepstones. Furthermore, last year when we'd received word that some pirate had set himself up in Bloodstone as the new king he'd barely reacted beyond calling the man a pretender. However, all that being said I was uncertain how he would react if his son told him that he intended to take his title.
"No," I said, vocalizing the decision I had made last night. "The only King of the Stepstones and Narrow Sea I recognize is Daemon Targaryen. Should I take the islands it shall be in your name.
He stared at me for a long moment his gaze searching.
"I don't understand." He said at last. "Those rocks are nothing but a pain in the ass. There is a reason I left, I conquered them with ease but a thousand petty annoyances harried me every day until I decided they were not worth the trouble. And now you want to plunge your hand back into that nest of serpents?"
"What else is there for me to do." I spread my arms wide indicating the keep around us. "You will be Rhaenyra's consort, her strong right arm. Baela will be the Lady of Dragonstone and someday queen and Rhaena will be the Lady of Driftmark. Aegon is an infant, but I am sure Rhaenyra will eventually carve out something for him. And where does that leave me? I'm the odd man out, if I want a future beyond lazing around the court with Vhagar I need to take it myself."
A flicker of understanding and shame passed over my father's face. Despite the legend that he had built, despite the fact that his descendants would sit on the Iron Throne, Daemon Targaryen had nothing to pass on to his sons. And that, deep down bothered him. Sensing that he was wavering I pressed on.
"And what about when I marry, what will I have to offer my children?"
"Your lineage! Your name! No matter what happens you are still the blood of old Variya and your children will hold the right to claim a dragon just as you did."
I sighed tapping the flat of my blade against my leg.
"I want more out of life than just being a courtier in King's Landing. I want a legacy; I want to build something that is going to outlive me."
He grimaced "I understand wanting more Aelyx, but you are only five and ten, do you really think that you can lead an entire campaign."
"I'll be six and ten, a man grown, by the time Pentos actually marches on the Triarchy, and that's only four years younger than you were when you gathered an army to support Viserys at the Great Council. Besides worst-case scenario is the Pentoshi fail in their campaign and I come home without ever setting foot in the Stepstones"
"No, the worst-case scenario is a Myrish crossbowman gets lucky and puts a bolt through your eye, or some hired blade slits your throat while you sleep."
I straightened, squared my shoulders, and looked my face dead in the eyes.
"I know the risk of dying on the battlefield. I understand that for all of our dragon's power, we are not invincible. But if there is no danger there is no glory and no gain. I want those islands and I am prepared to court death to gain them. As for assassination, I don't intend to cross the Narrow Sea alone. There are countless young men across Westeros who bitterly regret the fact that they were born too late to join the Rogue Prince in the Stepstones, I figure if I put the word out, I could gather a hundred or so with ease. They will watch my back when I am on the ground."
"You've put quite a lot of thought into this." He mused.
"Indeed, I have or did you think it was just a passing whim?"
"No, it's pretty evident that you are serious." So, saying he turned and exited the training yard. "Follow me." He racked his weapons and strode into the interior of the castle. I quickly copied him, before jogging to catch up to him. We walked side by side through the halls of Dragonstone and soon, we arrived at the entrance to his solar. He pushed open the door and entered moving straight to his desk. I curiously stood by and watched while he yanked open a drawer and pulled out a scrap of parchment. He then grabbed a quill and inkwell that were laying on the desk. With a frown at the quill, he reached back into the drawer and pulled out a knife. He then proceeded to trim the tip of the quill back into a point. He dipped the nib into the inkwell and proceeded to write.
I shifted my weight from foot to foot, as I resisted the temptation to peer over his shoulder. He finished writing with a flourish. My father then reached back into his desk and pulled out a small piece of wax, and a spoon. He glanced around before frowning. He straightened and began walking back out the door. I moved to follow.
"Stay" he commanded without even looking back.
A few minutes later he returned holding a lit candle in a holder. He set the candle on his desk and picked up the piece of wax and the spoon. He dropped the wax into the spoon and then held it over the open flame, melting the wax. He proceeded to pour wax onto the bottom of the parchment. Setting the spoon down he flipped open a small chest on his desk. He removed a dusty seal and pressed it into the wax. Raising the parchment to his face he gently blew on the wax, cooling it. He gave the document a final glance before thrusting it out to me. I took it gently and read over it.
I Daemon Targaryen, King of the Narrow Sea and Steptones
Do hereby appoint my eldest son Ser Aelyx Targaryen Prince Regent of the Kingdom.
I stared. In a material sense, it meant nothing. My father after all was not in possession of the Kingdom that he had just appointed me regent of. But, in twenty-four words he had both acknowledged his support of my endeavor and given me the legal status to act as negotiate with foreign powers on behalf of the Kingdom of the Stepstones. In essence, he had transformed me from a would-be warlord preparing to serve as a mercenary, to the head of a government-in-exile who could act in concert with his allies.
"Thank you," I told my father.
He nodded gruffly.
"If you actually do manage to take the Stepstones I'll draw up another document making you their legal heir."
"Rheanyra won't like you passing over Aegon like that."
"The Stepstones are my kingdom to dispose of as I see fit. If I choose to pass the title onto you, she has no say in the water." He declared, a hint of anger seeping into his voice.
"Of course, Thank you again. Now if you will excuse me, I have some Pentoshi to speak with."